Caulking strip



1969 'r. MULLEN 3,446,340

CAULKING STRIP Filed June 550, 1967 Sheet 012 INVEN r01? WILL/AM r.MULLE/V erC6 b (2 1;!

W. T. MULLEN CAULKING STRIP May 27, 1969 Sheet Filed June 30, 1967INVENTOR WILL/AM 7f MULLEN ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,446,340 CAULKIN G STRIP William T. Muilen,William T. Mullen, Inc., 3133 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19132Filed June 30, 1967, Ser. No. 650,456 Int. Cl. B65d 85/00 US. Cl. 206-46Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A caulking strip for filling the gaps,horizontal and/or vertical, between panels which strip has an outerfinished surface portion and a precompressed slow expansion innersealing strip portion and which is inserted in the gap for expansion toseal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This inVentiOnrelates to a caulking strip for openings between or along the edges ofpanels and the like having an outer finished surface portion and aninner sealing strip portion.

Description of the prior art In modern building construction there is atrend to provide a facing of a building which is non-load bearing andsimply curtains the exterior of the building from the elements.Increasingly this facing is an assembly on the job site of prefabricatedwall sections. These Wall sections incorporate in one unit thestructural wall, the exterior finish and often the interior finish ofthe building. These prefabricated wall units sometimes weigh many tonsand are lifted by giant cranes and fastened to the framing withconnections especially provided in the panels and the framing. It isobvious that the joints between these panels must be wide enough topermit ease of installation and that very close tolerances are notfeasible.

The panels of the type referred to expand and contract with changes inatmospheric temperature and the sealing of the joints has created adifficult problem. The sealant must be able to compensate with expansionand contraction, and remain at all times a positive water seal. Twotypes of sealant are now being used, preformed gaskets and bulk typesealants. Most preformed gasket types of sealants have provenunsatisfactory because they cannot be compressed sufiiciently to permitsubsequent expansion to fully occupy variations in construction jointWidths. Such gaskets are often used as a backup material that is thencovered with a bulk type of sealant.

The bulk type of sealant heretofore employed has included oil basecaulks, urethanes, acrylics, polysulphides and silicones, and many othercompounds. They all must be compounded to give varying degrees ofelasticity, workability, adhesion, tensile and tear strength, hardnessand other characteristics. The bulk sealants are forced into a jointwith a caulking gun or knife and permitted to cure or harden into asupposedly pliable form. The compounding of these various sealantsleaves great opportunity for error and consequently defective material.

The installation of bulk sealants again incurs problems. One of the mosttroublesome arises because of the failure to observe the limit of thewidth to depth ratio of two to one. This limit is most important toalleviate strain on the sealant material. To handle this importantconsideration, a filler is usually inserted into the joint to a depth toprevent exceeding this ratio. It the filler be of an unsuitablematerial, such that it could siphon out some of the sealant additives,or not be firmly set in place to the correct depth, the filler cannullify its purpose and actually be harmful.

In addition, the joint opening, in most instances, must 3,446,340Patented May 27, 1969 be thoroughly cleansed, and if necessary sandblasted and wire brushed so as to remove all dust and dirt in order thatthe bulk sealant will grip effectively. All of these considerations inboth the compounding of the sealant, and its installation, leave a largearea for failure, which too often occurs.

It has also heretofore been proposed to employ open cell polyurethanesaturated with asphalt and compressed to the extent required to prove aparticular type seal. Such material, if compressed to about 50% of itsoriginal volume provides a dust seal, to 33 provides an air sea], to 25%provides a weathertight seal, to 20% provides a vapor seal, and to 15%provides a vacuum seal and hydrostatic seal. This material, in use, hasa tendency to bleed and the straining effect, particularly on limestoneor light color precast concrete, has prevented its widespreadacceptance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention acaulking or sealing strip is provided which overcomes the shortcomingsof the present methods and materials, permits the sealing of the jointto be done from the inside or outside of the building after the panelhas been securely put in place, and minimizes field labor.

In accordance with the invention, also, a caulking strip or sealant isprovided having as one component a core of an open cell polyurethane ora similar cellular material which while fully expanded is impregnatedwith a waterproofing and water repellant. The cellular material is thencompressed to a fraction of its original thickness and inserted into asplit cartridge of either plastic or metal so that it can be deliveredto the jobsite in various lengths and thicknesses as required. Onesection of the cartridge which has a finished exterior remains inintimate engagement with the core and another or retaining section ofthe cartridge which is removed for use of the strip prior to use,preferably retains the core in compressed condition and may, in certainembodiments, also engage the other cartridge section.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a caulkingstrip suitable for insertion in openings whether horizontal and/orvertical between panels, and that has a finished outer surface portionand an inner sealing portion.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a caulking stripof the character aforesaid which is self sealing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a caulking stripwhich is suitable for use in openings of varying widths, and which canexpand or contract with changing temperatures while still maintaining aneffective seal.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a caulking stripthat is simple to use and is of low cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a caulking stripwith an outer surface portion which can be colored to match the color ofthe masonry as desired.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a caulking stripwhich can be safely stored and handled ready for use.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will beapparent from the description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The nature and characteristic featuresof the invention will be more readily understood from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings formingpart thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a building of panelconstruction incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken approximately on the line 22of FIG. 1 and showing one preferred embodiment of a caulking strip inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken approximately on the line3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the caulkingstrip of FIG. 2 with its retaining cartridge section or protective coverin place prior to use;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective illustrating the caulking strip of FIG.2 with one cartridge element or protective cover removed and with thesealing portion in expanded condition;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the caulking strip ofFIG. 6 with its retaining cartridge section in place prior to use;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the removal ofthe retaining cartridge section;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the caulking strip ofFIG. 9 with its retaining cartridge section in place; and

FIG. 11 is a View in perspective of the caulking strip of FIG. 9 withits retaining cartridge section removed.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawingsherein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications andchanges can be made in the structure disclosed without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularlyto the drawings and particularly FIG. 1 thereof, a portion of a building12 of well known type is there illustrated for purposes of explanationand incorporating the present invention. The building 12 has a base 13which may be a cast slab, vertical framing elements or columns 14 andhorizontal framing elements such as floor plate 15. The framing elements14 and 15 are joined at the desired locations and form the structuralskeleton of the building. Large panels 16 of cast stone or othercementitious material are provided to form the outer walls of thebuilding, the panels being attached to the framing 14 and 15 in any wellknown manner (not shown).

The panels are merely illustrative as the invention is also applicableto other types of masonry, including limestone, marble, granite andprecast masonry structures.

At the gaps or spaces 17 between the panels 16 caulking strips S inaccordance with the invention are inserted and exteriorly, interiorly orboth.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the caulking strip S thereillustrated is comprised of a finished outer cover or binder strip 21which may be of metal, such as aluminum or other material resistant tocorrosion and free from discharge of staining residues. The strip 21 maybe colored to match the panels 16 as desired and is preferably ofU-shape in cross section. The 'binder strip 21 may also be of plastic,if desired, so long as it is of adequate strength, is resistant toweathering and is free from any tendency to discolor.

A soft highly compressed sealing strip 22 extends within and beyond theinterior of the binder strip 21. The strip 22 is preferably composed ofan open cell polyurethane plastic or similar cellular material which infully expanded condition is impregnated with a waterproofing and waterrepellent material which may also be adhesive. Asphalt is a suitableimpregnant. The extent of compression after impregnation will bedetermined by the nature of the seal which is desired upon subsequentreexpansion.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 a protective cover or retaining cartridgesection 24 of U-shape in cross section is applied to the strip 22 whenit is in compressed condition and with a release sheet 25 interposed toprevent adherence to the cover 24 but to retain the sealing strip 22 incompressed condition until used. The sheet 25 may be of paper or thelike which is not adherent to the strip 22. The cover 24 and releasesheet 25 are removed immediately prior to use. The strip 22 ispreferably compressed in the ratio of about 4 to 1 prior to insertioninto the binder strip 21, protective cover 24 and release sheet 25.

The strip S may be supplied in any desired length and is suitable foruse with panels of any height, such as 35 or more feet.

To install the strip S, the strip S is cut to desired length and theprotective cover 24 and release sheet 25 are removed. The strip 22 isplaced in the gap or space 17 between the panels 16 with the binderstrip 21 on the outside and positioned flush with or inset from panelface, as desired, and before there has been any appreciable expansion ofthe strip 22.

The strip 22 is then free to expand until it fills the gap 17 and gripsthe adjacent panels 16, thereby effecting the desired seal.

The strip 22 may also be placed in the horizontal gaps or spaces 17between the panels 16.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 in the embodiment ofthe invention there shown a cartridge section in the form of a cover orbinder strip 21a is provided with an elongated arcuate face portion 30,preferably flexible, and with an elongated central plate 31 extendingtherefrom. Along each face of the plate 31 is a sealing strip 22a,similar to the strip 22 is provided, compressed as previously explainedfor later expansion in use.

A protective retaining cartridge section or cover 24a and release sheet25a may be employed in a manner similar to the cover 24 and sheet 25previously referred to, to hold the strips 22a in compressed conditionfor shipping and until the caulking is to be effected.

The face portion 30 may be flexible so as to be concaved to a greaterextent upon assembly to accommodate it to narrower gaps or spaces, orpermitted to remain open to its maximum extent.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, in the embodiment of the inventionthere shown a cartridge section in the form of a cover or hinder strip21b is provided, colored or finished as desired and capable of a hingingaction about an apex 33 So that side wall portions 34 and 35 may spreadto the extent permitted by the gaps or spaces.

A protective retaining cartridge section or cover 24b and release sheet25b may be employed similar to the cover 24 and sheet 25. The cover 24bis preferably in overlapped relation to the side wall portion 35 to theextent necessary to hold the strip 21b in compressed condition untilexpansion is permitted by removal of the cover 24b.

If desired the strip S may also be used in other locations such asbetween horizontal panels in a concrete roadway bridge, or between floorpanels in a building, or around exterior window and door components,along copings and cornices, along base cornices and in numerous otherapplications.

It will thus be seen that a caulking strip has been provided with whichthe objects of the invention are attained.

I claim:

1. A caulking strip for insertion in a space or gap along the edge of abuilding element to close the space and present a continuous outerfinished face which comprises:

a smooth outer binder strip having a continuous outer face portion fortransverse disposition within the space in exposed relation to theexterior, and

a compressible and expansible sealing strip in permanent engagement withsaid binder strip extending within and beyond the interior of the binderstrip,

said strip being expansible into gripping and holding relation in saidspace and in expanded condition holding said face portion in saidexposed relaton.

2. A caulking strip as defined in claim 1 in which said binder strip isa channel.

3. A caulking strip as defined in claim 1 in which said binder strip hasan arcuate face portion.

4. A caulking strip as defined in claim 1 in which said binder strip isa channel with an apex providing a hinge for spreading of said channel.

5. A caulking strip as defined in claim 1 in which said sealingstrip isof an open cell plastic material.

6. A caulking strip as defined in claim 4 in which said sealing strip isimpregnated with a water repellent materail.

7. A caulking strip. as defined in claim 6 in which said last materialis asphalt.

8. A caulking strip as defined in claim 1 in which:

said caulking strip is a cartridge, and

a protective cover cartridge section is provided in enclosing relationto the portions of said sealing strip outside said binder strip.

9. A caulking strip as defined in claim 8 in which said sealing strip isretained in compressed relation by said cover section.

10. A caulking strip as defined in claim 3 in which:

said face portion has a plate extending therefrom, and

said expansible strip is disposed on opposite faces of said plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,588,717 6/1926 Fischer 9418.21,912,076 5/ 1933 Hollingsworth 20684 2,069,032 1/1937 Fisher et a1296-93 2,454,821 11/1948 McKee.

2,724,876 11/ 1955 Chagnon 49-494 3,276,334 10/1966 Rhodes 94-18 WILLIAMT. DIXSON, 111., Primary Examiner.

US Cl. X.R. 52-403; 9418.2

